National Catholic Reporter • 31st July 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: A big boost in funding and a new editor

It's been a big news week for EarthBeat, with major boosts to both our financial and human resources. As you can read in our lead story on the EarthBeat homepage today, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) have given NCR $1.5 million to help endow our environmental coverage. We also have a new editor!

National Catholic Reporter • 24th July 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Re-imagining how we get where we're going

It turns out that how we get there matters. A lot. With transportation responsible for 28 percent of the greenhouse gases threatening the planet, the choices we make in this area -- as individuals as well as governments -- have huge consequences.

National Catholic Reporter • 17th July 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Revisiting integral ecology amid the heat wave and surging coronavirus

Before we were imagining months in lockdown, some experts predicted that summertime heat and humidity would ease the pandemic. Instead, rising temperatures have intensified the crisis.

National Catholic Reporter • 10th July 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Where 100 or more of us are gathered…

My favorite mini guide to journalism comes from Dan Gillmor, a reporter I worked with years ago at the Detroit Free Press: "My readers know more than I do."

National Catholic Reporter • 3rd July 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Closing the gap between public opinion and public policy on climate

As the country deals with the crises of pandemic, police brutality and racism, the ongoing climate crisis continues to loom directly overhead. Despite the temporary easing of pollution in many parts of the world as a result of the lockdown, the long-term outlook will remain grim unless and until public policy catches up with public opinion.

National Catholic Reporter • 26th June 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Need an encouraging boost? Check out our Interfaith Climate Tracker

One of my favorite paths to an encouraging word begins with a scroll down the EarthBeat homepage to our Interfaith Climate Tracker. The Tracker updates 24 hours a day with the latest news from 45 groups around the world that are working on climate issues from the perspective of faith. Many faiths, in fact. It's not that these groups are drawing a happy face on the sobering prospects for the planet.

National Catholic Reporter • 19th June 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Discerning what the Vatican really means when it comes to divestment

News organizations wrote quite different stories Thursday about the 226-page report issued by the Vatican five years after the release of Laudato Si'. Whatever the particular significance of the Vatican's wording on Thursday, one thing is clear: Divestment is coming up more and more frequently in the strategies the Vatican is recommending for addressing the climate crisis.

National Catholic Reporter • 5th June 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Why racial and environmental justice are so linked

With the crises of police brutality, Covid-19 and climate change converging at an alarming rate, climate activists this week denounced the systemic racism that's killing people of color today and, as a result of global warming, threatening the lives of millions more in the years ahead.

National Catholic Reporter • 29th May 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Introducing the author of 'Digging into 'Laudato Si''

You've been meaning to read Laudato Si' but haven't yet? Here's your chance: An invitation to dig into the encyclical with reflection and action in mind.

National Catholic Reporter • 8th May 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Pulitzers spotlight climate coverage

The most prestigious of journalism prizes celebrates deep reporting and engaging multi-media storytelling.

National Catholic Reporter • 20th March 2020

EB Weekly: Solidarity w/ climate & pandemic

As another week in this new normal draws to a close, I'm encouraged by solidarity at home, on the job, in the world. Friday morning, NCR Vatican Correspondent Josh McElwee fired off a message: "Vatican has issued a decree essentially giving a plenary indulgence to the entire world."

National Catholic Reporter • 14th March 2020

EB Weekly: Going to school on coronavirus

The current turmoil surrounding coronavirus makes the case that we really can take sweeping, difficult action as a community to address a lethal threat. Like the climate crisis, perhaps?

National Catholic Reporter • 7th March 2020

EB Weekly: Meet the author of our Lenten Reflections

If you're like me, you may have started this day by considering a suggestion from today's Lenten Daily Food Reflection: "Eat at least one food item mindfully."

National Catholic Reporter • 29th February 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Training for local activists

Eager to combine your faith with your concern about the climate crisis in a way that results in effective action? The Global Catholic Climate Movement invites you to become a Laudato Si' Animator.

National Catholic Reporter • 1st February 2020

EB Weekly: The story behind the story of having kids amid climate crisis

Reporter Brittany Wilmes and illustrator Heather Schieder discuss the research that went into the story and what surprised them along the way.

National Catholic Reporter • 24th January 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Speaking truth to power in a pink hoodie at Davos

Every week, the climate crisis presents us with one compelling, often disturbing image after another. But it’s a different image that sticks with me this week...

National Catholic Reporter • 18th January 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: The planet as patient

With global temperatures rising to decidedly unhealthy levels, a panel of leading physicians addressed the well-being of the planet here Jan. 15 as if it were presented to them in an exam room.

National Catholic Reporter • 13th January 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: What's your parish doing about climate change?

Even as government leaders continue to drag their feet -- and in the case of Trump, head in the wrong direction -- more and more parishes are stepping up. How about yours?

National Catholic Reporter • 4th January 2020

EarthBeat Weekly: Some hope -- and a question -- for the new year

The year ahead will be a big one for people of faith working on behalf of the planet, including a couple of milestones: The 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the fifth anniversary of “Laudato Si’.

NCR • 26th November 2019

Student activists speaking up for the planet, then and now

South Bend, Ind. — One by one, the students stepped before the South Bend Common Council Nov. 18 to speak up on behalf of a future they'll be around to enjoy or suffer. Some spoke in quite technical terms about the climate action plan they want the council to beef up. Others were more passionate. "I'm terrified!" Notre Dame freshman Ian Baker told the council...